Backup wrench



June 11, 1968 A. B. CAMPBELL 3,387,512

BACKUP WRENCH Filed April 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,ZwE/vrae ANDREW -55CHMPBELL, ,5; Ms HrmAwE /XT 52215; fdzecv-r, fiassezz fKEQ/K June 11,1968 A. B. CAMPBELL BACKUP WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet P3 Filed April 18, 1966a W 4 m w wm K a v 5 u m W W W 5, it v N a 4 I 4 a w H d 3 S H 2 Mklllmm w H 5 H w r 3 H 11 E w? H Q. 0 H) y D p c m N 0 E m- M M l k1.1-- y w w s a m F1 f .i. I W W .i I a m Z w A. 7 r

United States Patent 3,387,512 BACKUP WRENCH Andrew B. Campbell, SanMarino, Califi, assigncr to Hillman-Kelley, Los Angeles, Calif., apartnership Filed Apr. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 543,329 7 Claims. (CI. 81-54)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A back-up wrench for a power wrench used tomake or break threaded joints. The back-up wrench is pivotally mountedon the power wrench for movement into and out of engagement with onepart of the threaded joint, the power wrench being engageable with theother. The backup wrench comprises a body having a stationary jaw and amovable jaw linearly movable relative to the stationary jaw toaccommodate different pipe or tubing sizes, and pivotable relative tothe stationary jaw to open and close the jaws. The pivot for the movablejaw is linearly movable with the movable jaw so as to maintain thestationary and movable jaws in substantially the same positions relativeto the axes of pipes or tubings of different diameters. For thispurpose, the movable jaw is pivotally mounted on a slide member slidablerelative to the wrench body in directions to move the movable jaw towardand away from the stationary jaw.

The present invention relates in general to wrenches for making andbreaking threaded joints in pipe or tubing strings, or the like, and,more particularly, to a device which is especially suitable for use as abackup tong or wrench in conjunction with a power tong or wrench formaking or breaking pipe or tubing joints. Consequently, the inventionwill be considered in connection with such an environment herein forconvenience.

Summary and objects of invention A general object of the invention is toprovide an apparatus for making and breaking a threaded jointinterconnecting upper and lower members of an upright pipe or tubingstring, or the like, which includes: a power wrench; means supportingthe power wrench for movement into and out of engagement with the uppermember; a support depending from the power wrench; and a backup wrenchpivotally mounted on the support for move ment into and out ofengagement with the lower member when the power wrench is in engagementwith the upper member. With the foregoing construction, when the powerwrench is in engagement with the upper member, the back-up wrench isautomatically located in a position to be swung into engagement with thelower member to prevent rotation of the lower member upon rotation ofthe upper member by the power wrench in making or breaking the threadedjoint between the two members, which is an important feature.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a back-up wrenchcomprising: a wrench body which is pivotally mounted on the dependingsupport for movement relative thereto about a pivot axis parallel to theaxis of the pipe or tubing string, and which includes a stationary jaw;a movable jaw pivotally mounted on the wrench body for movement, about apivot axis paralleling the pipe or tubing string axis, between anoperative, extended position, wherein the movable jaw is generallyopposite the stationary jaw, and an inoperative, retracted position; andspring means for biasing the movable jaw toward its operative, extendedposition. To accommodate different pipe or tubing sizes, the movable jawis mounted on the wrench body for linear movement toward and away fromthe stationary jaw so as to vary the spacing 3',3&7,51Z Patented June11, 1968 of such jaws when the movable jaw is in its operative, extendedposition. Preferably, the pivot for the movable jaw is linearly movablewith the movable jaw, as by mounting it on a slide member slidablerelative to the wrench body in a direction to move the movable jawtoward and away from the stationary jaw, so as to maintain thestationary and movable jaws in substantially the same positions relativeto the axis of pipes or tubings of different diameters. In the preferredembodiments of the invention, the slide member carrying the pivot forthe movable jaw is moved linearly relative to the wrench body by screenmeans interconnecting the slide member and the wrench body.

An important object of the invention is to provide a back-up wrench ofthe foregoing nature which includes an actuating means which eitherpivots the stationary and movable jaws relative to the support intoengagement with a pipe, or the like, to be gripped therebetween, orwhich pivots the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw into itsinoperative, retracted position, and simultaneously pivots thestationary and movable jaws relative to the support into a position outof engagement with the pipe, or the like, gripped therebetween. Withthis construction, the back-up Wrench may be engaged with and disengagedfrom the pipe, or the like, quickly and easily, which is an importantfeature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a backup wrench of theforegoing nature wherein the actuating means mentioned includes: ahandle pivotally mounted on the wrench body; first stop means on thewrench body on one side of the handle and engageable by the handle topivot the stationary and movable jaws relative to the support intoengagement with a pipe, or the like, to be gripped therebetween, uponpivotal movement of the handle in one direction; and second stop meanson the movable jaw on the opposite side of the handle and engageable bythe handle, upon pivotal movement of the handle in the oppositedirection, to pivot the movable jaw into its inoperative, retractedposition and to substantially simultaneously pivot the stationary andmovable jaws relative to the support out of engagement with the pipe, orthe like, gripped therebetween.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the presentinvention, together with various other objects, advantages, features andresult thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the wrench artin the light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplaryembodiments of the invention described in detail hereinafter andillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention for makingor breaking threaded joints in pipe or tubing strings, or the like, whenrunning such strings into or out of oil wells, for example;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view taken along the arrowedline 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the back-up tong or wrench of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowedline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 4-4 ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating another embodimentof the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of invention Referringinitially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, illustrated therein is an apparatus10 of the invention for making or breaking threaded joints in pipe ortubing strings, such as a threaded joint 12 in a drill string 14 beingrun into or Q out of an oil well. The entire apparatus is shown assuspended from a hook 16 at the lower end of a cable, not shown, so thatit may be swung laterally into and out of engagement with the drillstring 14.

More particularly, the apparatus 10 includes a vertical post 18 shown ashaving at its upper end an eye 28 engageable with the hook 16. Carriedby the post 18 is a power tong or wrench 22 engageable with ordisengageable from an upper section 24 of the drill string 14 byswinging it to the left or right, as viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings.The power wrench 22 engages the upper section 24 of the drill string 14above the threaded joint 12 between the upper section 24 and a lowersection 26. The purpose of this is to avoid rotating the lower section26, and any still-lower sections in the well therebeneath, in rotatingthe upper section 24 to make or break the threaded joint 12. The lattermay be of the usual pin and box type, the pin being formed at the lowerend of the upper section 24 and the box being formed at the upper end ofthe lower section 26.

The power wrench 22 per se forms no part of the present invention and isfully disclosed in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 527,720,filed February 15, 1966, and in the co-pending patent application ofFred I Hillman, Serial No. 543,280, filed April 18, 1966, and assignedto the same assignee as the present application. Consequently, the powerwrench 22 will not be considered in detail herein.

The apparatus 10 also includes a back-up tong or wrench engageable withthe box at the upper end of the lower section 26 of the drill string 14to prevent rotation thereof while making or breaking the threaded joint12. The back-up wrench 30 is supported by a subpost 32 depending fromthe power wrench 22 and paralleling the drill string 14. Preferably, theupper end of the subpost 32 is releasably secured in 21 depending socket34 on the power wrench 22 so that it can be removed readily if desired.The back-up wrench 30 is supported on the subpost 32 by a compressionspring 36 seated on a removable pin 38. By removing the pin 38 and thespring 36, the back-up Wrench 30 may be slipped downwardly off the lowerend of the subpost 32 so that it can be turned over and re-installed onthe subpost upside down relative to the position shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings. With this construction, the position of the back-up wrench 36on the subpost 32 can be reversed readily when switching from makingthreaded joints to breaking them, or vice versa. In FIG. 1 of thedrawings, the back-up wrench 30 is shown in its joint-making position,being adapted to prevent rotation of the lower section 26 of the drillstring 14 when the upper section 24 is rotated in the clockwisedirection by the power wrench 22.

An important feature of the invention is that the backup wrench 30 ispivotable about the axis of the subpost 32 into and out of engagementwith the lower drill-string section 26 when the power wrench 22 is inengagement with the upper drill-string section 24. Consequently, oncethe power wrench 22 has been engaged with the upper drill-string section24 the proper distance above the threaded joint 12, the back-up wrench30 can be engaged with the box at the upper end of the lowerdrill-string section 26 automatically merely by swinging it about thesubpost 32 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1 of thedrawings. The compression spring 36 supporting the back-up wrench 30allows for upward movement of the power wrench 22 relative to theback-up wrench in breaking the threaded joint 12.

Considering the back-up wrench 30 of the invention in more detail withreference to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawings, it includes a wrench body 4!provided thereon with a vertical bearing 42 in which the subpost 32 isjournalled to permit pivoting of the back-up wrench into and out ofengagement with the drill-string section 26. The wrench body 44 isprovided at one end thereof with a stationary jaw 44 adapted tocooperate with a movable jaw 46 to grip the drillstring section 26. Themovable jaw 46 is pivotally connected to the wrench body 40 by means ofa pivot 48 the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the subpost 32.The pivot 48 permits the movable jaw 46 to swing relative to thestationary jaw 44 between an inoperative, retracted position, not shown,and an operative, extended position, shown in FIG. 2, wherein themovable jaw is generally opposite the stationary jaw and cooperatestherewith to grip the drill-string section 26.

The back-up wrench 30 is adjustable to accommodate aipes, tubings, orthe like, of different sizes. To achieve such adjustment, the pivot 48is mounted on the wrench body 40 for linear movement in directions tovary the spacing of the stationary and movable jaws 44 and 46. Moreparticularly, the pivot 48 is slidable in longitudinal slots 50 in thewrench body 40 and is carried by a slide block 52 slidablelongitudinally of the wrench body in a guide 54. Making the pivot 48 forthe movable jaw 46 linearly movable with the movable jaw, in adjustingthe spacing between the stationary and movable jaws, is advantageousbecause it maintains substantially the same positions of the stationaryand movable jaws relative to the axes of pipes or tubings of differentsizes.

The back-up wrench 30 preferably includes screw means for adjusting theposition of the slide block 52 to adjust the spacing of the stationaryand movable jaws 44 and 46. In the embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawings, a screw 56 is rigidly connected to theslide block 52 and extends longitudinally of the guide 54 and the slots50. A nut 58 is threaded onto the screw 56 and is rotatable by means ofa handle 60 connected thereto. Axial movement of the nut 58 is preventedby screws 62 extending into an annular groove therein. An alternativeembodiment is shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings and includes a slide block52a having a screw 56a rotatably connected thereto and extendinglongitudinally of the guide 54 and the slots 56. The screw 56a isthreaded through a fixed nut 58a and is adapted to be rotated by ahandle 60a suitably secured thereto. In all other respects, theembodiment of FIG. 5 is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 andidentical reference numerals are applied to identical parts. In bothembodiments, rotation of the handles 69 and 60a results in linearmovement of the pivots 48 relative to the wrench bodies 40 in directionsto vary the spacings of the stationary and movable jaws 44 and 46 toaccommodate different pipe or tubing sizes.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawings, the movable jaw46 is biased toward its operative, extended position, shown in FIG. 2,by a tension spring 64 connected at one end to the stationary jaw 44 andat its other end to the movable jaw. With this construction, when theback-up wrench 30 is pivoted about the subpost 32 into engagement withthe drill-string section 26, the spring 64 automatically pivots themovable jaw 46 int-o proper engagement with the drill-string section 26.

The back-up wrench 30 includes a handle 66 pivotally connected to thewrench body 40 by a pivot means 68 the axis of which parallels the axisof the subpost 32 and the axis of the pivot 48. As best shown in FIG. 2,the handle 66 is disposed between a stop or stop means 70 on the wrenchbody 4% and a stop or stop means 72 on the movable jaw 46. The stop 70on the wrench body 40 is so located that when the handle 66 is pivotedin the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, it is engaged by thehandle to swing the entire back-up wrench 30 into gripping engagementwith the drill string section 26. This condition is shown in solid linesin FIG. 2 of the drawings. Conversely, the stop 72 on the movable jaw 46is so positioned that when the handle 66 is pivoted in thecounterclockwise direction, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, thisstop is engaged by the handle to pivot the movable jaw 46 into itsinoperative, retracted position, and to substantially simultaneouslypivot the entire back-up wrench 30 out of engagement with thedrill-string section 26.

Thus, the handle 66 performs a triple function, i.e., it

pivots the stationary and movable jaws 44 and 46 relative to thesupporting subpost 32 into engagement with the pipe, or the like, to begripped between the jaws, it pivots the movable jaw relative to thestationary jaw into a position wherein the movable jaw is disengagedfrom the pipe, or the like, and it pivots both the stationary andmovable jaws relative to the supporting subpost into positionscompletely out of engagement with the pipe, or the like, which is animportant feature of the invention.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosedherein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in suchembodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined by the claims which follow.

Claims I claim as my invention:

1. In a wrench, the combination of:

(a) a support;

(b) a wrench body including a stationary jaw and pivotally mounted onsaid support for movement relative thereto about a first pivot axis;

(c) a movable jaw;

(d) means mounting said movable jaw on said wrench body for linearmovement of said movable jaw toward and away from said stationary jaw,and for pivotal movement of said movable jaw relative to said stationaryjaw about a second pivot axis parallel to said first pivot axis betweenan operative, extended position, wherein said movable jaw is generallyopposite said stationary jaw, and an inoperative, retracted position;

(e) said mounting means including a movable member carrying said movablejaw and mounted on said wrench body for movement relative thereto indirections to move said movable jaw toward and away from said stationaryjaw;

(f) said mounting means also including pivot means connecting saidmovable jaw to said movable member for pivotal movement of said movablejaw about said second pivot axis between its inoperative, retractedposition and its operative, extended position;

(g) spring means for biasing said movable jaw toward its operative,extended position;

(h) adjusting means interconnecting said movable member and said wrenchbody for moving said movable member relative to said wrench body in saiddirections; and

(i) actuating means for pivoting said stationary and movable jawsrelative to said support about said first pivot axis into engagementwith a pipe, or the like, to be gripped therebetween, for pivoting saidmovable jaw relative to said stationary jaw about said second pivot axisinto its inoperative, retracted position, and for pivoting saidstationary and movable jaws relative to said support about said firstpivot axis out of engagement with a pipe, or the like, grippedtherebetween.

2. A wrench as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes:

(a) ahandle;

(b) pivot means mounting said handle on said Wrench body for pivotalmovement of said handle about a third pivot axis parallel to said firstand second pivot axes;

(c) first stop means on said wrench body and engageable by said handleto pivot said stationary and movable jaws relative to said support aboutsaid first pivot axis into engagement with a pipe, or the like, to begripped therebetween, upon pivotal movement of said handle in onedirection; and

((1) second stop means on said movable jaw and engageable by saidhandle, upon pivotal movement of said handle in the opposite direction,to pivot said movable jaw about said second pivot axis into itsinoperative, retracted position, and to pivot said stationary andmovable jaws relative to said support out of engagement with a pipe, orthe like, gripped therebetween.

3. A wrench according to claim 2 wherein said first and second stopmeans are on opposite sides of said handle.

4. A wrench according to claim 2 wherein said adjusting means includestwo relatively rotatable, threadedly interengaged elements one connectedto said movable member and the other to said wrench body.

5. A wrench according to claim 2 wherein one of said threadedly engagedelements is a screw and the other is a nut threaded on said screw.

6. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable member is aslide member carrying said movable jaw and slidably mounted on saidWrench body for movement relative thereto in said directions.

7. In a wrench applicable to a pipe, or the like, the combination of:

(a) a wrench body including a stationary jaw;

(b) a movable jaw cooperable with said stationary jaw to grip a pipe, orthe like, between said stationary and movable jaws;

(c) a movable member carrying said movable jaw and mounted on saidwrench body for movement relative thereto in a direction to move saidmovable jaw toward and away from said stationary jaw;

(d) means pivotally mounting said movable jaw on said movable member forpivotal movement of said movable jaw toward and away from saidstationary J (e) means interconnecting said movable member and saidwrench body for moving said movable member toward and away from saidstationary jaw;

(f) a handle pivotally mounted on said wrench body;

(g) stop means on said wrench body and engageable by said handle to movesaid stationary and movable jaws into engagement with a pipe, or thelike; and

(h) another stop means on said movable jaw and engageable by said handleto disengage said movable jaw from a pipe, or the like, between saidjaws.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,772 5/1905 Johnson 8l---90.3X 2,040,669 5/1936 Odmark 269-238 X 2,668,689 2/1954 Cormany 81-57.l12,855,964 10/1958 Zelany 269-238 X 3,330,552 7/1967 Bucher 269- JAMES L.JONES, 1a., Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,387,512 June 11 1968 Andrew B. Campbell It is certified that error appearsin the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 1, between lines 2 and 29, insert Background of Invention Column2, line 8, "axis" should read axes line 12, "screen" should read screwColumn 6, line 23,

claim reference numeral "2" should read 4 Signed and sealed this 18thday of November 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward Fletcher, It. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

